The Atlanta Dream have played good basketball through 16 games this season, and the expectation is that they’ll get even better as the year progresses. It can be anybody’s game on any given night, whether it’s a starter or someone coming off the bench, and that’s a scary sight for opposing teams.
Te-Hina Paopao is one player who has grown in her role during her second season in the league, but there have also been some struggles. Before their game against the Toronto Tempo, Paopao spoke about the difference between her first 15 games of her rookie season and this season.
“I started last season because Jordin was out, and that was a challenge for me as well, just because coming into my rookie season, it was pretty challenging, but at the end of the day, my teammates helped me get through that,” Paopao said. “This year, it’s been a little shaky as well. I am not going to lie to you. Minutes have been up and down, but at the end of the day, it’s all about what I can do to help the team win, and if those minutes I’m in are being impactful, I know that I’m gonna be an important piece to this team.
“I just know that my time is gonna come, and I just have to keep pushing that agenda and keep doing what I can do with the minutes that I get and just wanting to win at the end of the day, ’cause wins matter.”
Paopao’s minutes have fluctuated this season, but when her number is called, she knows what she needs to do to make an impact. Her 3-point shooting is still efficient, and she can get in the paint for her patented floater. On defense, she’s noted that she wants to continue to improve and has shown a willingness to do so.
If Paopao can keep stringing along good games, things should get better for her, and her minutes should stay steady.
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